Hokie ClubATLANTA, Ga. – The Virginia Tech softball team stumbled twice Saturday at the First Pitch Classic at Bob Heck Field, falling to No. 17 Missouri 8-0 in five innings and then lost to the host Georgia State Panthers, 3-2.
In the opener, Tech managed just one hit as Erin Ota singled up the middle in falling to the ranked Tigers. Jenna Rhodes purloined two bases in the first inning, but was stranded at third base. Chelsea Thomas, a freshman fireballer making her collegiate debut, kept Tech off balance all game, striking out three. Kenzie Roark got the start but was pulled after an inning where she allowed four runs on five hits and a walk. Abbie Rexrode threw three innings, allowing six runs (two earned) on six hits with four strikeouts and five walks.
In the second game, Georgia State struck for two runs in the second inning after being helped by a defensive miscue by Rhodes in center field. The Panthers took a 3-0 lead with a single run in the third inning before the Hokies cut into the lead with a RBI single from Jessica Everhart in the bottom of the third inning. Everhart brought the Hokies to within one run with a solo home run in the fifth inning, but the Hokies couldn’t get the run they needed late in the game.
Tech out-hit the Panthers, 10-7 with Whitney Davis leading the way with three hits. Everhart and Rhodes each had two hits while Kristen Froehlich and Amber Walker had one apiece.
Roark (L, 1-4) went the distance, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits with five walks and two strikeouts.
Tech (2-5) will try to break its losing streak on Sunday. Tech and Evansville (0-2) will play at 10 a.m., and then will play again in the third-place game at 2:30 p.m.